slate tiles

[Loosenup]

Hi Guys
I have been asked to tile a floor with slate tiles , I am confident with normal floor tiles , but are there any special things i should be aware of , or any any distinct types of adhesive i should use , The floor is currently a cement screed and no underfloor heating . Do I need to prime the floor prior to laying the tiles? or is it ok to just crack on with flexible adhesive?
Many thanks in advance
phill

[DTWCeramics]

You can use pretty much any flexible adhesive, I'm assuming these are going inside the house?

Ensure tiles are dust free and give them a coat of a natural stone sealer/impregnator

Grout the tiles, and if you feel the need to, give them another coat of the above (not necessary for some manufacturers products but some people like to ensure it's really coated!)

If you're going to use UFH, ensure the adhesive you use is compatible with UFH.

Cheers

[haveagohero]

Quite a bit more to laying natural stone than normal ceramic/ porcelain. First you need to grade the tiles, sort through and organise then in to thick, medium and thin. Use a good quality rapid set flexible adhesive and follow instructions on the bag for priming the floor. Start with the thickest tiles and a 10-12mm round notched trowel, when the thick tiles are used up go up a notch size on your trowel to make up for the difference in tile thickness then lay the thinnest tiles with a bigger notched trowel again, lift a tile now and again to make sure you are getting 100% coverage with the adhesive. Make sure you work clean, keep a bucket of water and sponge close by and wipe and adhesive off the face of the tile and between tiles. Now give the tiles a good clean down but make sure the tiles are bone dry before you apply any sealer or you will end up with nasty marks on the tiles, i normally seal after i have laid the tiles but before grouting then seal again after grouting but tiles can be sealed before they are laid if you wish.

Hope that helps

[haveagohero]

Remember to back skim the tiles as well